Drogba confident on Chelsea contract extension

Didier Drogba is currently on a pre-season tour of Thailand with Chelsea

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba, 33, expects to sign a new one-year contract extension that will tie him to Stamford Bridge until 2013.

The Ivory Coast captain, who joined the Blues from Marseille in 2004, revealed negotiations have begun on a new deal.

"We've started talking," he said. "Everybody knows what I feel about Chelsea and what I want.

"I will definitely be here next season. I said a few years ago I will be here until the end of my contract and I am."

"Now I need to keep playing well here and giving my best, like I always try to do.

"This will be my eighth season at this club and it means a lot for any striker to stay that long at Chelsea."

For the first time in his Chelsea career, Drogba admits he will not be assured of a first-team place this season.

The muscular striker is set to compete with record signing Fernando Torres for the starter's role with new boss Andre Villas-Boas seemingly set to employ one striker.

With the likes of Nicolas Anelka and Daniel Sturridge, who impressed on loan at Bolton last term, also in the squad, Drogba knows competition up-front is going to be fierce.

"Yes, I think we are (contending for one place)," added Drogba.

"That's the manager's choice, but it's been like this for me for all my years at this club.

"It was the same when Eidur Gudjohnsen was here, when (Andriy) Shevchenko was here, and all of the other times.

"I'm 33, I'm the oldest player and, even if that feels strange, I'm not worried.

"If I deserve to play then I will play. If I'm not good then I won't. It's good for the team to have some competition."